GPRC's Anna van der Giessen (right) and her teammates will be looking to claim CCAA gold when the host Cross-Country Nationals in November (Photo: Facebook / GPRC Wolves)

By Shaun Penner

Cross-Country Nationals

GPRC ready to welcome top college Cross-Country runners for Nationals

Oct 24, 2019 | 12:05 PM

While the GPRC Cross-Country team prepares itself for ACAC provincials this weekend in Calgary, the athletic department is looking one step ahead, as they prepare to host the top runners from across Canada.

GPRC has been selected to host the 2019 CCAA Cross-Country National Championships, which will go November 8-10 at Muskoseepi Park.

It’s been a long year of preparation for organizers with the college, since they found out they would be getting to host the event in November of 2018. But, Athletics Manager Thomas Slifka says the hard work of everyone is about to pay off.

“It’s been a lot of meetings, a lot of planning,” said Slifka. “But, we’re incredibly excited to host this event in Muskoseepi Park.”

The course that will be laid out in the park will be a two-kilometre loop. The men’s race will consist of four laps for a total of eight kilometres, while the women’s race will be three laps in length, totalling six kilometres.

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A map of the course layout through Muskoseepi Park (Photo: GPRC)

In all, Slifka is expecting anywhere from 200-250 athletes from about 40 college teams across Canada that will compete in the Swan City in two weeks time. That number will be decided upon following the various provincial championships being held this weekend.

Slifka also points out that getting an opportunity to host the national title this year has an extra special meaning for the college’s athletics department.

“Our co-coaches, Rick Scott and Bill Corcoran, who have combined been the coaches at GPRC for 57 years, this is their last hurrah as they are retiring after this event,” said Slifka. “It’s exciting that we get to celebrate, not just Grande Prairie Cross-Country, but also the impact they’ve had on our Cross-Country community.”

Do you want to do more than watch the runners at Muskoseepi that day? Then you’re in luck, as the college will host its inaugural Run for a Wolf race on the morning of the big event.

“It’s rare that you get a national event, where the community can really come and support, but also be a part of it. So, we’re excited that it’s open to everyone to come and then they can watch the race, as well.”

The 10-kilometre run/walk will go at 9 a.m. on November 9, and those who wish to only go five kilometres will start at 9:30. The championship events will then go after, with the women’s race beginning at noon and the men’s race at 1 p.m.

Anyone interested in taking part in the community run can register at the link here. Registration is now open until the end of October, with all money raised going towards the Wolves athletic scholarships.